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You are a leader - an influencer for the Kingdom, don't ever forget that! As a part of our team in CSM, we want you to develop as a leader. Leaders don't just study and then kick back and cruise... true leaders are always "in progress". Thanks for being on our team - you're a vital player! Students need you! We need you! This resource takes aim at you and I in developing our leadership as it pertains to our lives and ministry with students...because leader's are learner's! |
jan '04 - "the heart of a shepherd" - part 2
if you didn't check out part 1, give it a look now...then join us for part 2.
some of this training has been taken from the training CD "How to care for students" by Doug Fields.
Team Training
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another task of a good shepherd is 'knowing' how to MOVE the sheep. We've been given an opportunity to not only relationally connect and support students, but we've been commissioned to invest in them to help "close the gap" in their lives. CLOSING THE GAP from the reality of our lives now - toward the 'promised life' that Jesus invites us to have. (john 7:1-37, galatians 5, john 10:10).
Look back with me to the job description that we looked at last month of an actual shepherd: |
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a shepherd...
moves sheep to greener pastures. they drive them to places where there is more food. the sheep move slowly, feeding as they go, gradually working their way to more fruitful places. sometimes the shepherd uses words to move the sheep and other times they 'bash' the sheep with their staff. |
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Just as the shepherd moves sheep along at their own pace, we need to be in step with Our Shepherd as He might whisper some guidance at how, what and when to nudge the students we're guiding to take some greater faith steps.
The ultimate goal is moving students along to higher places with Jesus. The aim in moving them along is their DIRECTION not their PACE.
The DIRECTION students are traveling in the spiritual life is far more important than their PACE. This isn't always easy - because we often want it to be faster, better, deeper, more impacting, etc. you name it - we can pressure it in students.
Maybe our 'nudging' students along should start with an overflow of our heart with The Shepherd - prior to our advice. In many years of ministry - I've learned a simple secret: the more I allow myself to be captivated by Christ's love for me - the more my heart is vibrant and growing - then more often than not, the students who I hang around seem to reflect that too.
so...
- How and what has the Shepherd been nudging in your heart recently?
- How's your 'love temperature' with Him?
- What's He been stretching and/or teaching you ?
If you have a passion to 'know' your students and help them move to higher places with Jesus.let me suggest some actions that you could take a stab at.
9 practical actions to encourage students' growth :
1. Ask students to pray for you for a specific situation/issue. When you're vulnerable about what's going on in your life - you are authenticating your faith in a student's mind.
2. You might do a 'quiet time' with a student(s) during the week and talk about it at small group again. Many students desire to have a quiet time, but struggle because they don't know how. Maybe they need some support or encouragement from you doing it together.
3. Ask them how their walk with God is going. This might seem direct and obvious, but it's often overlooked in the busyness of ministry and life.
4. Help them write out their testimony - their story. take turns sharing it with one another.
5. Ask them to do some research on your next small group lesson to help you as you lead that experiential discussion time
6. Send 'em a copy of an article on spiritual growth and follow up by asking them their thoughts
7. Ask them "who are you praying for?" or "who are you inviting to church?"
8. Sponsor a compassion child together or do an act of service somewhere together
9. Tell them what you see God doing in their lives - point out those "God sightings" that you're proud of them and that you want them to know that you noticed
Those are just some simple tips you might try to help those students God has connected you with toward taking those spiritual steps and 'closing the gap' in their life.
I have found some students want to grow, but often they need some staff to come alongside and point out the 'God sightings' in their lives. Some staff that will encourage them, nudge them, pray for them and believe in them.
Some of our students are great Christian kids, who are just living lives that are so busy and over programmed, that they need to be challenged to slow down and to enter & experience the presence of God.
Shepherding is a process of us believing in students, helping them uncover who God has created them to be, helping them become more fruitful with their lives. Caring for students isn't easy - but it is necessary to have a healthy youth ministry.
Making It Personal
(take 5 minutes to consider)
Shepherds care about their sheep. The fact that you're reading this training, wanting to learn is an indication that you care for students. THANKS!
Continue to get to know your sheep, helping them move closer to Jesus. Remember, that at the heart of a shepherd is LOVE. And that is also at the heart of Jesus.
I want to close by having you meditate on Psalm 23 - read slowly and may this move your heart as you wrap yourself around the heart of our Great Shepherd:
Psalm 23
1 GOD, my shepherd! I don't need a thing. 2 You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. 3 True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. 4 Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I'm not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd's crook makes me feel secure. 5 You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. 6 Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I'm back home in the house of GOD for the rest of my life.
Shout Out
Email Jack one theory/tip/thought that stuck out to you as you read through this or from your meditation time.
jack@casaschurch.org
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